Benitez happy as Madrid win ahead of China tour

Melbourne, July 25 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez was a happier man after his side ended its visit to Australia with a 4-1 win over an under-strength Manchester City here.

Goals from Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Denis Cheryshev gave Real Madrid a victory on Friday which helps them forget their defeat to Roma in their first friendly of the summer, reports Xinhua.

Real Madrid will now fly to China where they will face Inter Milan and AC Milan in Guangzhou and Shanghai on the back of what Benitez described as a “good game in both attack and defence. It is still pre-season, but it is positive to see the team looking ordered and playing at a good level”.

He brushed aside questions over Ronaldo’s loss of temper in Thursday’s training session while adding Luka Modric would recover from what looked like slight physical problems and repeated he was sure central defender Sergio Ramos would remain despite pressing for a move to Manchester United. Benitez also showed his confidence to goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

“We wanted to give him the chance to play and feel comfortable and he did well. We will see what happens with (new signing Kiko) Casilla. There is no hurry,” said the Real Madrid coach. He was also asked about David de Gea, but said he “was satisfied” with the job his keepers had done to date.

Finally, Benitez looked ahead to Real Madrid’s days in China admitting it would be “complicated”.

“My experience tells me that long trips are complicated which is why it was important to work first in Australia where there were good conditions. It is harder in China. We have to travel every three days and it will be hot and humid,” he said.